Published On: 2013-12-09

New Delhi, 9^th December, 2013: Schneider Electric India Foundation inaugurated its first Renewable Energy Training Centre at the Art of Living Headquarter in Kanakpura - Bangalore Ashram on 4th-Dec-2013 in association with Art of Living Foundation. The event was graced by the presence of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Dr. Shalini Sarin - VP and   HR Country Partner and Mr. Nagarajan – VP Partner business, Schneider Electric India Pvt. Ltd.

The Renewable Energy Training Centre has been setup to support new entrepreneurs from the “Bottom of the Pyramid” to start their own business in renewable electrical market along the lines of Schneider Electrics’ flagship Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program BipBop, that is based on ‘Business, Innovation, and People at the Base of the Pyramid’ and aims to provide access to reliable, affordable and clean energy for people with limited or no access to electricity. 
 
The Renewable Energy Training Centre RETC will play a vital role in training youth to sustainably distribute and manage electricity in rural India. This RETC in Bangalore alone will create 150 livelihood opportunities per year on the following subjects and small scale business and promotion.

Energy Classification  Energy Needs of India (Category wise)  Basics of Electrical Engineering  Safety and Health Hazards  Solar Energy  Solar based home lighting system installations  Micro grid installation and maintenance  Solar water pumping installation and maintenance  Battery management  Entrepreneurship – how to run a small business.

Schneider Electric India Foundation is a social commitment of Schneider Electric in India with its mission to help people change lives through access to energy. The company strongly feels that Corporate Social Responsibility practices are successful   in creating meaningful, economic and environmental benefits towards the society.

Schneider Electric India Foundation has a disciplined step-by-step approach towards managing these initiatives, starting from initial assessment, upto determining a “social footprint” through suggestions on how to measure performance. SEIF recognizes that CSR means more than propagating a company’s own values and principles and also on understanding the values and principles of those who have a stake in, or are affected by, its operation.

Schneider Electric India Foundation is active in engaging communities and its development to better meet the expectations through a steadfast focus on execution, yielding measurable improvements overtime. The CSR programs of Schneider Electric India Foundation are designed to cater to the needs of the regions by participating in the local daily life of the sites where the company operates. The CSR activities are focused on trainings, integration and support for the people and to fight against social exclusion. The Schneider Electric India Foundation commits itself by helping the planet and society through its unique 4E interventions (as described below).

Education: Electrician training programs for unemployed youth, Scholarship to the poor students to pursue engineering degree, Conserve My Planet program an exclusive program on energy conservation for the primary students to save energy and the environment.

Employment: Electrician training to the unemployed youth is the central project of the foundation.

Electrification: Facilitate access to energy at very remote areas without the grid supply.

Entrepreneurship: Support new entrepreneurs from the “Bottom of the Pyramid” to start their own business in renewable electrical market .

For more details please visit us @ www.sei-foundation.com

Sustainability actions at Schneider Electric: Schneider Electric has been recognized for its work on clean-tech projects, which transcended beyond the Company’s core business. Such initiatives include BipBop, the company’s pioneering corporate social Responsibility (CSR) program that is based on ‘Business, Innovation, and People at the Base of the Pyramid’ and aims to develop access to reliable, affordable and clean energy for poor countries with limited or no access to electricity. While the company is not subject to CO2 quotas, Schneider Electric publicly reports its CO2 performance through the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP). For the CDP program, the company focuses on three sources of emissions: energy consumption at corporate sites, reduction of SF6 gas, and efficient freight control. Schneider Electric also offers industry-leading solutions such as EcoStruxure, which optimizes energy management by combining electrical distribution, critical power and cooling services, automation and industrial as well as building control systems. Schneider Electric has additionally contributed to the Princess Elisabeth Antarctica station – a zero emission scientific research station.

About Schneider Electric A global specialist in energy management, with a presence in more than 100 countries, Schneider Electric offers integrated solutions for a number of market segments, including leadership positions in utilities and infrastructures, industries and machine manufacturers, non-residential buildings, data centres and networks, as well as the residential sector. Focused on making energy safe, reliable and efficient, the company's 140,000 plus employees achieved sales of €24 billion in 2012, through an active commitment to help individuals and organisations “Make the most of their energy.” www.schneider electric.com
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